January 2, 2022 | DUI, DUI Omaha

Being charged with a DUI (Driving under the influence) is serious. Navigating a DUI charge can be especially challenging in Omaha even if it is your first offense. Here are a few things every first time DUI offender in Omaha should know.

• Penalties for first-time DUI are harsh

Penalties for first time DUI offenders in Omaha are harsh. If you are charged with a DUI and are found to have had a blood alcohol content below 0.15 percent, you will be required to serve a jail time of a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 60 days. You may however, be given probation. While you may not serve jail time when under probation, you will still have your license revoked for 60 days and be required to pay a fine of $500. You will also be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle your drive.

If you were charged with aggravated or enhanced DUI and your blood alcohol level found to be above 0.15 percent, you may have your license revoked for a year and have to spend two days in jail or 120 hours doing community service.

• Having your license revoked is bad

Many first time DUI offenders think that getting away with probation and having their license revoked for a short period is no big deal. After all, they will have their license back and be able to drive once the probationary period is over. However, there is much more to having your license revoked than meets the eye.

Driving with a revoked license in Omaha is a criminal offence. This is classified as a Class II misdemeanor. You could spend up to six months in jail, have to pay up to $1000 in fines or both if you are charged with this offense. The period that your license has been revoked could also be extended up to two years and the vehicle you were driving may be impounded. In some cases, offenders have their licenses revoked permanently.

If you have been charged with a DUI and had your license revoked, you would have to find alternative ways to get around such as riding your bike, asking for a ride or taking a taxi.

• You can challenge a license suspension

If you’re license has been revoked or suspended for a first time DUI offense, there’s still hope. You can challenge a license suspension. You would need to petition the Department of Motor Vehicles to have your license reinstated.

The process of challenging a license suspension is not as straight forward as many would like it to be. It is best to hire a DUI lawyer in Omaha to help you navigate the complexities of the process. Your attorney can help you get the DUI charges dismissed. This will make it much easier to have your license reinstated by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Your attorney may also seek alternatives that will allow you to continue driving. For example, they can help you apply for an ignition interlock device which can be installed in your car. You would be required to breathe into this device in order to start the vehicle.

• Hiring a DUI attorney is your best bet

Many first time DUI offenders don’t know how to approach their cases. Some don’t believe that they need an attorney to help defend their rights. However, they soon find out that navigating DUI laws in Omaha can be quite challenging.

It is important to hire a DUI lawyer as soon as possible after being charged with a DUI. It doesn’t matter whether your case seems minor or serious. Hiring an attorney will improve the outcome of your case no matter the circumstances surrounding it.

An experienced DUI attorney is invaluable in any DUI case. They will assess your case to determine whether there was probable cause for the vehicle being stopped by the law enforcement officer. They will assess whether the officer did everything correctly and challenge any issues with the procedure used to administer the breath alcohol test.

Hiring an experienced attorney will help to increase the chances of having your charges dismissed. Your attorney will assess your case and develop a strategy to approach your case. They will help to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

What to do when charged for the first time with a DUI in Omaha

If you have been charged with a DUI for the first time in Omaha, be sure to contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Getting started with an attorney as soon as possible will give the attorney adequate time to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. Your attorney can advise you on the best approach to take for your case.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI, get in touch with us and hire an experienced DUI lawyer in Omaha to fight on your behalf.

First Time DUI in Omaha – What You Should Know